Stand for visible index and record equipment



Jan. 20, 1931 F.- D. POWELL 89,839

STAND FORN'iSIBLE INDEX AND RECORD EQUIPMENT Filed Oct. 17, 1929 2Sheets-Sheet 1 .IIHHII HHHUIHIHI 20, 1931. F. D. PCIDWELL 1,739,839

TAND FOR VISIBLE INDEX AND RECORD EQUIPIENT Filed Oct. 17, 1929 I 2Sheets-Sheet 2' Patented Jan. 20, 1931 rnanxfnrownnn, or 'onionoo,ILLINOIS, nssrsnon in north (Jenn sYsTnivI com- PANY, or (intense,innit-01s, A oonronnrron or ILLfInoIs STAND non visrnrln nanny; nnn

nnconn QUIPMENT This invention relates to improvements in a stand onwhich is adapted to be mounted a plurality of frames, each containingvisible index or record data, and in one specific embodiment comprises arevolving or rotary stand on which is detachablyinounted a large numberof frames each containing a plurality of index strips, record cards, orother data readily visible to the eye. 7

One of the objects of the present invention is to providea standadaptedto support a plurality of index frames and characterized by thefacility with which the frames may be mounted upon and removed from'thestand.

Various arrangements have been proposed in stands of this generalcharacter, but in most cases the device's heretofore produced are opento numerous ObjGC'tlOI'lS, and the nn- )rovements incorporated in thepresent ini L i l.

vention have been designedto overcome these particular objectionablefeatures.

hiet' among the disadvantageous features presented in the devicesoi theprior art, is the inability of stands of this character to maintain the"frames mounted upon the stands in a uniformly spaced relation withrespect to one another, resulting in crowding ot the frames at oneportion of the stand, while more ample room exists at another portion ofthe stand. Thiscrowded condition oft-he frames rencers it ditiicult forthe operator or the one seeking the information contained upon theframes, to properly view the intor'niatory matter, inasmuch as the arethrough which the frames may rotate is considerably diminished. Due tothe operators inability to p operly view the'index matter, the naturaltendency is to attempt to increase by force the angular positionoccupied by the frames in question, resulting in bending the frames,

bending: and ultimately breaking the pintles upon which the traineerotate, and the breaking of the dividing pins disposed in theslot inwhich the pintles are positioned.

To obviate this disadvantageous feature I provide a pair of spacedannular grooves when a rotatable stand is to be utilized, or a pairofnon'annularspaced grooves where a longitudinal stand is desired, oneor both ripheral edges of each of thegrooves being corrugatedorscalloped,-and one pintle of' eachiraine being adapted to be retainedand ournaled in the indentations of the scalloped or corrugated edge. Inthis manner, each frame is positioned a uniformly fixed distance fromits neighboring frame,"thereby eliminating any possibilityoii' crowdingof the frames 'with'accoinpanying destructive consequences. e

Briefly referred to, my invention comprises when a rotatable stand isdesired, a base of comparatively heavy Vrnate'rial,v a verticallydisposed shalt, and a pair or series of pairs of spaced plates inountedupon aid shaft, one 'bein? superposed ab'ove the other. A circulargroove or slot may be provided adjacent the edge oi eachfplate and as atea ture of my invention 1 may dispose corrugated or scalloped ring inthe slot adjacent one defining edge of the same. For the sake offlexibility and accessibility this ring may be i'emovably mounted withinthe slots by a means to be hereinafter more fully described. Myinvention in its-broadest conceptc'onteinplates the disposition of saidring adjacent either the inner or outer wall of each slot, or ifdesired, two rings may be utilized, one adjacent each wall of each slot.

Although in a preferred embodiment my invention may assume the formoit'a rotatable stand having one or more tiers of rotatable index units,itis to be understood that it'is not intended to limit the scope oftheinvention thereto, since any form. of indexstand,

rotatable, stationary, circular or straightfis V intended to bawltninthe 'PUIYlGW of the one end into the slot and terminating at the otherend in a circular sectioned aperture. Into this slit and aperture theabutting ends of the scalloped ring are adapted to fit and are tightlyheld therein by inserting a pin or the like into the circular sectionedaperture thereby firmly locking the arcuate portions of said endstherein. In addition, a plurality of lugs may be removably mountedadjacent the annular slot. Each lug may be provided with an overhangingfinger shaped in such a manner as to conform to the curvature of one ofthe scallops, the scallop being indented at that point so as to permitthe surface of the finger to be flush with the curved surface of thescallop.

Thus it can be readily seen that the uniformly indented ring is readilydemountable and may very quickly and conveniently be mounted or changed.It is to be understood, of course, that other means may be used formounting the ring in the slot, such as welding or soldering, and suchmeans is also contemplated in the present invention.

Various other objects, features and advantages will be hereinafter moreparticularly brought out.

. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a revolving type of stand equippedwith the improvement of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an enlargedfragmentary sectional view illustrating the position of the movableplate moved upwardly in the insertion of an index frame.

Fig. 3 isa similar enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing therelative positions of the index frame, stand frame, and movable plate innormal positions.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1 and looking inthe direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan View of a portion of the lower revolvingplate illustrating the means for mounting the corrugated ring in theslot.

ig. 6 is a fragmentary side sectional view illustrating the dispositionof an index frame pintle in one of the scallops.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the ring as shown inFig. 5, parts being broken away.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan View of a portion of the revolving plateshowing a slight modification of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fig. 8.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, 1 indicates generally a baseor spreading support from the center of which projects up-- wardly. ashaft 2 adapted to support a stand designated as a whole at 3. Althoughbut one stand is shown in the drawings, it is to be understood that aplurality of such stands may be mounted on the same shaft if desired,one above the other.

In the drawings, the stand is illustrated as being of therevolving-type. It is to be understood, of course, that the improvementwhich forms the basis of the present invention is equally applicable tonon-revolving stands.

The stand 3 may comprise upper and lower discs 4 and 5 provided,respectively, with annular grooves 6 and 7 confined by walls 8 and 9respectively. A plurality of rods 10 connect the upper disc 4 to thelower disc 5 by means of screws or the like 11 thereby forming a unitaryrevolving structure in which the two discs are spaced the desireddistance from each other. To facilitate rotation of the structure 3 aball bearing assembly 12 may be provided.

A plurality of apertures 13 may be provided in the upper disc 4 intowhich may be inserted elongated pins or bolts 14. A movable plate isillustrated as being supported on the upper edge of the upper disc 4,provided adjacent-its outer edge with apertures into which are adaptedto be inserted the pins 14 which latter, having enlarged heads, restupon the upper surface of the movable plate 15. The operation will bedescribed on the basis of providing the movable plate 15 on the top ofthe disc 4. It will be obvious that the movable plate 15 is equallyapplicable to the lower disc 5.

The arrangement is such that the pins14 pass through the movable plateand through the disc 4 projecting below the latter a considerabledistance. Each of the pins on its lower end may be provided with anadjustable nut which functions to hold a coil spring 17 against thelower surface of the disc 4.

The outer edge 18 of the plate 15 may pro ject beyond the outer edge ofthe wall 8 of the upper disc 4 for a purpose to be hereinafterdescribed.

As a feature of'the present invention, referring particularly to Figs.4, 5', 6 and 7, a corrugated ring 19 may be positioned in each of theslots 6 and 7 adjacent the inner walls of said slots. The ring 19 may beformed of a metal strip which has been corrugated or scallopedtransversely of its length as shown at 20 in Figs. 4 and 5. Each end ofthe ring 19 is turned backwardly from a point of an end scallop as shownbest at 21 in Fig. 5, the ends 21 terminating in arcuate portions 22. Aslit may be formed in each of the disks 4 and 5 at right angles to andconnecting at one end with the annular slots 6 and 7 respectively. Theother end of the slit opens into a circular-sectioned aperture 23, theportions 21 and 22 of each abutting end of the ring being adapted to fitinto the slit and aperture 23 respectively. To lock the members 21 and22 in desired position, a pin 24 may be wedged in the aperture 23. Thuslateral mothe lug 25 extends over the slot and ring and is turneddownwardly adjacent an indentation of one of the scallops 20.- Theindentation of the scallop V8? which the lip is disposed may bebentsufiiciently to permit the face of the lip 27 tobe flush with thecurved surface of the scallop. Thus it is'olovious that the ring 19 isreadily mountable and removable and may be replaced by a new ring whendesired or found necessary.

It is to be understood of course, that other means of retaining the ringin the slot are contemplated by the invention in its broadest aspect,such as, for example, soldering or welding the ring in place.

In the utilization of'the invention, an index frame 28 having an upperedge 29, a lower edge 30, an upper pintle 31 and a lower. pintle 32 isadapted to be mounted on the stand. The pintles 31 and 32 beinsertedinto the upper and lower slots 6 and 7, respec tively, and as isobvious are journaled in the scallops 20. Assume that it is desired tomount an index frame 28 on the stand. Y The upper pintle 31 is insertedin the groove 6 below the overhanging edge 18 of the plate 15. Referringparticularly to Figs. 2 and 3, it can be readily seen that the lower endof the scalloped ring 19 extends below the edge 18 and thereby serves asa guide to the operator in inserting the upperpintle 31 into the slot 6.Pressure is applied to the frame, for instance, by hand, to force thepintle 31 upwardly to the point where the top edge of said pintle abutsagainst the'top wall of the groove 6. Durig this upward movement of thepintle, the upper edge 29 of the frame has made contact with the overhanging edge 18 of the top of the cover plate 16, thus raising that sideof the top cover plate from its normal position, the top cover platecarrying with it the pin 1i and compressing the spring 17 against thelower surface of the disc 4. \Vhen the pintle 31 has made contact withthe closed upper wall of the groove 6, the lower edge of the lowerpintle 32 will have room enough to clear the upper edge of the wall 9defining groove 7, thus permitting said lower pintle 32 to be insertedin the groove 7 and into one of the scallops 20.

The frame is then moved or permitt d to move downwardly until the loweredge of the lower pintle 32 rests in the lower portion of the lowergroove 7, whereupon the plate .15 under the influence of the spring 17,will also be restored to normal position. The

'f-rame'at this point will occupy the position are in contact with thering, permitting the frame 28 to swing freely clear of the discs t and5. In this manner the offset portions of the rind-1Q m'erelyserve asguides when insertingtlie' pintles intheir proper positions.

A slight modification of the invention is shown in Figs. 8 and 9 whereina portion of the disc is provided with an opening or aperture 35 at thefoot of each scallop in which the -p'intle 32 of the frame 28 I may restwhen the frame is in normal pcsi tron. The prov1s1onjof the aperturesmay be utilized both n theupper and lower (llSCS' 4t and 5, as isobvious. In this case the walls 8 and 9 as shown in Fig. 1 may :beeliminated if desired. p It is ap'parentthat I have "devised a' standfor index frames or the like constructed to facilitate the mounting andremoving of the frames from the "stand, means being provided touniformly space the frames one from the other, avoiding crowding of theframes, and thereby rendering the informatory matter disposed upon-thefram'es'clearly visible under all conditions. In additiongthe'device issturdy, rugged, "extremely flexible of use and comparatively economicalto manufacture. v

' I amaware that many modifications in details of construction may bemade without-dd parting ,fromthe spirit of the invention, the broadconcept to be covered herein compris' ingaln index stand adapted tosupport a plurality of index frames, each index frame being removablebut non-"slidably mounted with respect to the stand.

VVhile I have illustratedand described the ring 19 as taking the form ofa metal strip ben'tto bring the ends thereof together, it is to beunderstood that I do not wish to be limited to a metal strip since theinvention contemplates the use of a cast metal ring or a ring made ofnon-metallic material such as bakelite, hard rubber or similarmaterials.

I claim as my invention: 1

1; In combination, a stand for removably supporting a plurality of indexframes, come prising spaced upper and lower supports and means foruniformly spacing a plurality of index'frames between said supports,comprising a scalloped ring disposed upon each support. r i p 2. AnindeXstand, including in combination spaced upper and lower supports proitsvided with inwardly facing opposed grooves, W

a scalloped ring removably positioned in each groove for retaining aplurality of index frames in spaced relation with respect to each other.

3. In an index stand for removably'supportinga plurality of indexframes, spaced upper and lower supports provided with inwardly facingopposed grooves, a scalloped ring removably disposed in each groove,each index frame being provided with a pintle adapted to be journaled inthe scallops formed in said rings.

4. In combination, a stand comprising spaced upper and lower supportsprovided with inwardly facing opposed grooves confined by walls, amovable plate cooperatively connected with one of said supports havingan edge lying in a different plane than the body portion of said plateand projecting beyond the edge of the wall confining the groove in thatsupport, means for maintaining said movable plate under spring tension,and means for unifo *inly spacing a plurality I of index frames betweensaid supports comprising a scalloped ring mounted upon each support.

5. In combination, a stand comprising spaced upper and lower supportsprovided with inwardly facing opposed grooves confined by walls, meansfor uniformly spacing a plurality of frames between said supportscomprising a scalloped ring mounted upon each support, a movable platecooperatively connected witn one of said supports having an edge lyingin a difierent plane than the body portion of said plate'and projectingbeyond the edge of the wall, confining the groove in that support, anelongated pin passing through said plate and said support and having aportion projecting beyond the latter, a coil spring operatively disposedwith respect to that portion of the pin projecting beyond said support,and means mounted upon said pin for holding said spring against asurface of said support.

6. In combination, a stand comprising spaced upper and lower supportsprovided with inwardly facing grooves confined by walls, a movable platecooperatively connected with one of said supports having an edge lyingin a different plane than the body. portion of said plate and projectingbeyond the edge of the wall confining the groove in that support, meansfor maintaining said movable plate under spring tension whereby whenforced away from its adjacent support to permit the insertion of anelement in the grooves, said plate will be positively restored to normalposition, and means for uniformly spacing a plurality of said elementsbetween said supports comprising a scalloped ring disposed upon eachsupport.

In combination, supporting device for index leaves or the like,comprising spaced apart annular grooves, a plurality of index leavesdetachably engaged thereby, means for

